John 11 - Giving Life to a Dead Man

Introduction

One principle for memorable public speaking is to: 1) tell the people what you are going to say; 2) say it; and 3)tell them what you just said. That is the flow I will follow this morning.

As I looked at today’s chapter in various translations, there are 4 verses that versions translate almost word for word (vv.5,6,25, & 35).

Jesus loved this family in Bethany

Jesus waited 2 days to respond

Jesus is the resurrection and life and belief makes a difference

Jesus shed tears at this event.

TRANSITION: Let’s start by noticing the relational connection between Jesus and the other character of this story.

Include Jesus in Your Distress (John 11:1-7)

John begins by naming the characters who had significant relationship with Jesus. Jn 11:5 even spells it out in case we don’t make the connection. Jn 11.5 tells us that Jesus loved them and Jn 11.4 tells us that they knew that He loved them.

Lazarus, Martha & Mary are not the only people whom Jesus Loved. Jn 11.8-16 indicates that he also loved the disciples who were with him and they new that returning near Jerusalem could be a death sentence for them.

Jesus reassures the twelve that there is a reason to go and that they will be enriched “so that you may believe” by the voyage.

Martha invites Jesus into the distress of dire illness. The twelve invite Jesus into the distress of angry people. Jesus reminds of the value of relationships so that Thomas encourages the others that dying with Jesus their master was better than living away from Him.

You and I both encounter times of uneasiness and turmoil. Jesus desires to be brought into those troubles AND He models having relationship with others so that we don’t go through them alone.

TRANSITION: Even though Jesus loves the Bethany 3 and His 12, He doesn’t allow His emotions to shortcut a lesson about to be learned.

Jesus’ Deferral is not Denial (John 11:17-27)

The delay in John 11.6 begins to make sense only when we read it in the light of Jn 11.4. We know that Jesus received news and made a decision. Jesus shared the news with the twelve in a wrapper of “God is about to receive Glory and the Son of God will also be glorified.”

Jesus doesn’t explain how God’s glory is about to be multiplied. Jn 11.8 indicates that they had concern for Jesus’ safety, and most likely their own as well. They had seen sign #3 so they knew that God could work even without Jesus physically being in Bethany.

Jesus’ deferral is NOT for lack of love for the Bethany 3. His decision is NOT driven by the safety of his 12. When there is a delay in answering our prayers, we must remember that God’s deferral is NOT for a lack of love or inability to protect us. Deferral is NOT Denial, but in this case, and in many of our prayers, Deferral magnifies WHO is bringing about resolution to our distress.

In Jn 11.17-27 Jesus uses the delay to teach Martha (and other mourners) an important lesson. Martha (Jn 11.24) surely believe God would make things right at the end of time, but Jesus (the 2nd person of the Trinity) who was present on earth wanted himself to be identified with victory over death, not just something Yahweh God in heaven would eventually bring about.

The I in Jn 11.25 and the me in Jn 11.26 are the two pronouns upon which this whole story pivots. John doesn’t just want us to believe generally in God, he wants us to grasp that Jesus is God, that Jesus is the key to life after death, that Jesus is the Messiah we need.

TRANSITION: Yes, God is at work, but He is doing it through the 2nd person of the Trinity...through Jesus! This personal Jesus reveals compassion and empathy in the following verses.

Jesus Sympathizes deeply (John 11:33-37)

The weeping of Jn 11.35 is not a sign of weakness. The Jews who are observing in Jn. 11.36 seem to question if Jesus’ ability was somehow limited.

I’ve heard some claim that since Jesus foreknew what was about to happen that he wasn’t weeping out of sadness for Lazarus, but He was weeping over the lack of people’s understanding of who He was.

I’m not convinced of that. I think Jn 11.3-5 plus Jn 11.38 are revealing something is happening within the fully human Son of God.

A Visceral reaction

Jesus’ tears are not like the tears shed by the other mourners. Wailing/weeping (vv.31-33) [κλαίω] appears 40x in NT. Louw-Nida describes this type of crying as...

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 25.138 κλαίω; κλαυθμός, οῦ; κραυγή, ῆς

to weep or wail,

Jesus’ weeping [δακρύω] a hapax legomena, come from being deeply moved (ἐμβριμάομαι)

illustration: Chris Jones during national anthem or the anti-pollution campaign with Iron Eyes Cody looking at a polluted stream with a single tear running down his face.

Whatever other meaning you take out of this passage, it is essential that you see a Savior who is intimately connected to human suffering.

Jesus Dominates all obstacles (John 11:38-44)

Referred to as “Lord”

“Jesus” is used 19 times which indicates personality and relationship as we just saw.

“Lord” appears 9 times because John is telling this story to teach that Jesus is MORE than a friend.

Something that John wants all readers to recognize is that:

Jesus is not restricted by the distance to Bethany

Jesus is not constrained by the schedule of Martha’s expectation

Jesus is not limited by the threat of the Jews who are displeased with Him.

Jesus is not confined to ONLY the final resurrection.

Jesus, is greater than any obstacles between Lazarus and living. Jesus is greater than any theological presumptions Martha may have held. Jesus is greater than any consequences sin may have over man.

Conclusion

John builds these 7 signs upon each other like a child building a tower of blocks. The total tower is more impressive than any of the individual pieces.

We started with Jesus being greater than the time necessary for grapes to grow or wine to ferment

In the cleansing of the Temple we saw Jesus reclaiming the purpose for which the Tabernacle among God’s people started.

The third sign indicated that Jesus is a Savior for all as the son of a Gentile was healed over distance,

John points out Jesus’ individual healing of a Jewish person who could not walk and Jesus shattered superstition.

Next Jesus did something different (teaching) than the sign-seekers wanted as he fed thousands.

Last week we saw the contrast between sight for those willing to submit in faith and obedience, and those who are arrogant and remain blind.

Finally in this sign, we see Jesus establishing relationship that death terminates—an indication that eternal relationship is possible even after physical death.

I see in the combination of these signs that John chooses to include in his portrait a Savior who is worth believing. I see a Gospel of one who draws near to us. I see a Savior who saves, regardless of time, space, or obstacles. I see a Gospel which is sufficient for all, but must be individually received in faith and obedience.

I reflect on these 7 signs and my heart stirs within me in unison with the words of 19th century Plymouth Brethren lay preacher, Samuel Trevor Francis...

Amazing Grace—366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions 3. O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

O the deep, deep love of Jesus—vast, unmeasured, boundless free! Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me, underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love—leading onward, leading homeward, to my glorious rest above.

A Savior who loves me like this is worthy to be my Lord; worthy to believe; as another John described him, He is worthy to rest upon as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Light & Lamp Application:

Light for my Path

Jesus' loving interaction reveals His authority over death and the profound hope to be found in Him as the Resurrection.

Lamps for my Steps

Think – Remember that our pain can be like blinders, God’s power opens possibilities.

Feel – Admit your hurts to God! Jesus understands emotional pain.

Do – TELL somebody about a time you felt true emotional pain and how the Gospel gave you hope.

What I just told you is that:

Jesus loved this family in Bethany

Jesus waited 2 days to respond

Jesus shed tears at this event.

Jesus is the resurrection and life and belief makes a difference